Believe it or not, but the first golf balls in the early 1800s were called "featheries" and were actually made of a leather pouch that was rolled tight and packed with wet feathers then dried into a hard and solid ball. The average drive on "feathery" was about 150-175 yards. Today's standards are very different, aren't they?
We have come a long way from those days and experience has tough us that a rough ball flew a bit better than a smooth one bringing us to the current dimpled features of a modern golf ball. Why does a golf ball have dimples? A smooth ball is effected by the drag of atmosphere both on air flow behind the ball as well as separation of the air around it. The dimples on the ball allow for these two types of drag to count act granting the ball a more free flight through the air.
So, what makes a ball a golf ball? According the United States Golf Association (USGA), a ball must fall within these specific requirements to be officially recognized as a golf ball, which generally means that:
1. The weight of the ball cannot be greater than 1.620 ounces or 45.93 gm. 2. The diameter of the ball cannot be greater than 1.680 inches or 42.67 mm. 3. The ball must be round and cannot be designed or intentionally changed to have properties different than a round, symmetrical object. 4. The speed, initial velocity, roll and carry of the ball must meet and not exceed USGA test standards.
For a full list of conforming golf balls, please refer to the United States Golf Association (USGA) official website for more specific information on rules guidelines and testing standards.
A full variety of speciality golf balls are available and many tout extra qualities such as longer drive, higher accuracy or a design especially for men/women. While some design changes in dimple patterns and core density may effect the travel of the ball, it is best to try out a few brands before making your final decision on a good fit for you. After all, it will takes years of practice and dedication to develop your own personal accuracy level and, at that point, you will notice more finite changes in specific golf balls.
Can you reuse and recycle golf balls? Of course, a found golf ball that is not too scuffed or discolored is probably fair game for the average golfer. But, there has been some research to indicate that golf balls recovered from a significant amount of time in the water (noted by the discoloration) have absorbed too much moisture to launch properly from impact with the club head. So, think about the time, wear and tear on those golf balls before plucking them out of the pond. Or, if you are considering buying reclaimed golf balls from an industrious caddy that has been digging in the swamp.
A golfer is always faced with a constant barrage of things that he can possibly spend his money on. These things range from the necessary things like golf clubs, to completely unnecessary things like trophy cases for hole-in-one balls. It would seem that a golfer's money could constantly be thrown away on the many things that are available for purchase.
However, one of the most expensive things that a golfer has to spend money on is not what you would expect. Golf balls are perhaps the most irritating thing that a golfer buys. He seems to buy them over and over, as they disappear into bushes, lakes, or sand traps. Rates for golf balls can seem fairly ridiculous too, with some selling for over $25 for a pack of 12. If you want to save money on golf balls or even get them for free, read on for a few tips on how you can do just this.
While you are in the middle of a golf game, there are usually many opportunities to find golf balls that have been left behind by golfers before you. It isn't a good idea to constantly interrupt your game in search of golf balls, but if you happen to walk right by a cluster of bushes or a small water hazard, you might as well take a moment to look for golf balls that have been left behind.
If you don't mind getting your arm wet, usually you can find multiple balls just by reaching into a water pool. Bushes and other similar obstructions are also good places to look. Other golfers may find you strange when you are rooting around for golf balls, but it is definitely worth it in the end when you don't need to pay insane amounts for golf balls every week. All you have to do is shove them into a bag you carry with you, then wash them off as soon as you get home for golf balls that are like new.
You can also buy used golf balls from many different sources, including sporting good stores in your local area. These are sold at a huge discount off of the original price, and you can usually not even tell that they have been used thanks to the cleaning processes. Usually they are not sold in matching brands or colors, so if uniformity is your thing you may be disappointed. Unless you are more than just a casual golfer, used or second-hand balls will probably work just fine.
It takes a very trained hand to be able to tell the difference between a new ball and a used ball, or between an expensive ball and a cheap ball. The spin and the hardness of the balls are usually varying, but probably not enough for you to notice. Try two contrasting balls in a row and see if you notice anything, and if not then you can be happy that you are able to stick with the cheaper balls.
It may not seem like much of a money saver to get all of your golf balls for free or for a discounted rate, but the money you save will sure add up. Whether it's just a few dollars a week or whether you notice a significantly large saving, it's still money in your pocket that wouldn't have been there otherwise.
Therefore, you should remember the golf ball savings techniques that have been discussed so far: first of all, you should always take whatever chance you get to search for golf balls that have been left behind by previous golfers in areas that they are likely to have lost them. Secondly, buy used golf balls from sporting good stores in order to save money. If you follow these two guidelines, you are sure to experience the benefits of being free from paying full price for golf balls.
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